Keyboardist Adam Wakeman (pictured below; OZZY OSBOURNE, HEADSPACE) has released the following statement regarding the passing of former DEEP PURPLE/WHITESNAKE keyboardist Jon Lord:

“Very sad news about the great Jon Lord. [He was] one of my biggest influences and idols growing up. RIP.”

Jon Lord died earlier today (Monday, July 16) in a U.K. hospital at the age of 71. He suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism at the London Clinic after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jon was “surrounded by his loving family,” a message on his official web site said.

In addition to DEEP PURPLE, Lord played in WHITESNAKE — the band led by ex-PURPLE singer David Coverdale — from 1978 to 1984, having appeared on the albums “Trouble”, “Lovehunter”, “Ready An’ Willing”, “Come An’ Get It”, “Saints Sinners” and “Slide It In”.

Jon Lord is survived by his wife Vickie and two daughters — Amy and Sara.